1 Do you know what we call the people in books and movies? We call them characters [CARE-ik-turz]. Bilbo Baggins is a character. Ramona Quimby is a character. Do you have a favorite character? What is his or her name? ______________ What is the title of the book or movie that this character is in? ____________________________2 The best characters are interesting. They may look pretty, funny, or ugly. They may behave in odd ways. Maybe strange things happen to them. Maybe they have special talents. What is it that makes you like your favorite character?34 Today you are going to create a new character. You may pretend that it's a new doll or action figure. It is going to be fun. I promise!5 Here are a few rules about creating characters.

1. Do not make up a character that looks like someone in your school. Writers get into bad trouble when a character looks like someone they know.

2. Do not name your character after someone you know. You will not like the trouble it causes.

3. Do not copy a character from a book or movie. You will get a bad grade if you do that. Use your brain to come up with your own character.

4. Do make your character more exciting than anyone you know. He or she should be someone whose story you would love to read!6 Let's make up a child. What do you need to do first? You must decide whether your child will be a boy or a girl. Then you must decide how old your child is. Next, you will tell what the child looks like. Finally, make up a favorite item of clothing your child loves to wear.